12 Tags of 2012... Already It Is...

... March! Blinking blimey, you turn your back for a few minutes and someone fastforward's us right into March! But that can be a goodly thing because it means that there's a new 12 Tags of 2012 from the one and only Duke of Distress. CLICK HERE to whizz off on the back of a giant mosiac butterfly to see all the deets.



Just like Feb's tag, I didn't have many of the products needed to copy it, which for me is a bit of a bummer because I like to copy any of the 12 Tags properly so I can use them for future reference... so... I improvised! I haven't got the Woodgrain stamp (can't see that I will ever own it either so... ) improv #1, the background stamp: I have had the Worn Wallpaper stamp on woodmount for several decades and (ahem) have hardly ever used it... I know for certain I haven't used it for at least three years (baaaad stamper) so, out that came. Improv #2 I haven't got any Kraft tags and seeing as Kraft card over here is soooo expensive, I maded my own by colouring a manila tag with Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap DI's.... well, it is an approximation of the colour... so, the background was stamped in Walnut Stain as per instructions.


Now, I do have the Butterfly M&S's but not the Cement Powder... so I hummed and I hawwed and thought... "aha" I have got Milled Lavendar Distress Powder, which when heated goes a nice grey colour... so Improv # 3 I used that instead... the ickle snips have been double coated with Glossy Accents just to make them pop more... check out the ickle words too... we have an Eisenhower butterfly here you know :O)) The rest of the tag is finished as the instructions... except I got a bit heavy handed with the Perfect Pearls Mists... but that doesn't matter... tis artistic license lol



My poor little AlfieCat is in the wars... last night he developed a limp in his back leg, it was quite bad last night but seems less pronounced today but we are keeping an eye on it... I think he may have got something in his paw or clonked it... if he is still limping a bit later we will take him to the *whispers* V E T... He is still leaping about onto windowsills and up onto his bed... and he is eating...he's my little furbaby so I can't help but fret. Just when things are already bad enough, something else comes along to add to it... cor blimey, life has a way of boogering us up doesn't it? Anyways... enough of my woes... I have a need to get inky this afternoon and sitting here waffling ain't making these little pinkies go inky (did ya like the rhyme there? ROFL) Thanks for looking... as ever... have a lovely day... TTFN!

Hels x

Grungy Glitter...

...cor blimey and thrice alive indeedily... talk about a coincidence... namely, my favest challenge in the World ever, Grungy Monday, has just posted this weeks new challenge theme. Hosted by the delightful Linda Ledbetter, all the deets on this weeks challenge, how to join in etc are HERE. So... the GM theme this week is to use a technique learnt from the Tsar of Tags (ahem) Tim Holtz during his bonanza 12 Tags 2011. I just so happened that I was faffing about last night with a tag and decided to have another little play using Grunge, Glue & Seal and Glitter (I know, I don't do glitter normally but I rather like *ok, lurve* this use of it) The inspiration for this technique is HERE on Tim's blog where it shows you just how to do it!



So... my entry; the tag base was made by dragging a Snow Cap Dabber across it, drying the paint and then blending several DI colours over the top - I used Wild Honey, Broken China (memo to self, get a re-inker, the pad is verrrry dry!) Seedless Preserves and Aged Mahogany with a smidge of Walnut Stain to edge the tag. I used Aquamarine Archival Ink to stamp a fancy border across the top and some flourishes and then I set about making some embellies for it.


The butterfly is cut using Grungepaper and the Fanciful Flight Alterations Die. I just cut one set of the wings as I only wanted half the butterfly for the tag. The bottom layer of the butterfly had the technique treatment and I used White Art Glitter... mmmm, still not sure about the white so I used my finger to dab some Silver Dabber over the glitter to change the colour of it. I cut a frame using Ranger Metal and a lacey border too using the Lace Border Alterations strip and added Black Dabber to antique the metal. The sentiment is a Movers & Shapers Label, cut, coloured with the same Distress Ink and stamped with Jet Black Archival. I added a pretty little newspaper flower that I coloured with more DI's and popped a Pen Nib onto the butterfly for his body.



So... how fab that I had already made the tag and the challenge fitted perfectly... do go and have a look at the challenge, it really is a fabbydoodles one and this week it is being sponsored by Simon Says Stamp and you could win a $25 gift certificate! Cool, I want to win that :O)) Right, enough waffling for one day... I have an appointment with a lovely big pile of Studio 490 stash... thanks for looking... TTFN

Hels x

What Day Is It?

Cor blimey and thrice, how much Christmas pud is it possible to consume in just a few days! Well, I managed very well because Grim had got one of those "hidden cherry" centred ones from Sainsbury's and oh lordy indeedily, it was THE best Christmas pud... in the World (said in my best Jeremy Clarkson voice) However, it also weighed in at about three stone... and being as there are only two of us to eat it.... well, it has been much ...erm...loved... and still there's some left over! I might just try that Nigella recipe you know... she cumbles old pud into a bowl, sloshes in some booze, plops a load of melted choccy into the mix and then makes them into little truffles... oooh lala... yes, that could be a very good thing to do.



Anyways... I am all to pot with my days this week... for some reason I think it is Tuesday, although I know it isn't because poor old Grim is back at work already and that means it is Wednesday... which also means that I was supposed to be blogging yesterday but I got waylaid on the sofa, with an enormous box of choccy's and loads of Christmas telly to watch. To be honest, I am all festived out now... having eaten my bodyweight in turkey and sprouts and consumed faaar too much chocolate, I am so going to be payin for that next week with the zits that shall no doubt arrive in time for New Year!




Before I went off on my little Xmas blog break, I had been faffing with that lovely Tissue Wrap of Tim's and made a little spikey flower using the Tattered Florals die.. and cut the offcut pieces into thin strips to make a little nest for my bird - which is mountboard, covered with Tissue and die cut using the Caged Bird Alterations. The tag design is one of the 12 Tags from 2010 - actually I think that this one must have been my fave because I have recreated it so many times in the last year! Being as it is a Tim Tag, I am entering it into the Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge which is... tim Tags! CLICK HERE for all the deets. Well, that's all from me for today... I am working on some more gorgeous Tissue Wrap at the moment... and if it isn't nailed down, it will be covered in the stuff... needless to say, AlfieCat is moving about a lot... I can't get him to stand still long enough to cover his tail up (joke!!!) Right.... am offski to the Room of Stashly Messes (which is not quite the Doom of Trash but on it's way again!) So....what did you over do (or over indulge on) this Christmas... do tell do!!! TTFN

Hels x

WOYWW... It Was Tidy...

... honest, it was!!! I spent a couple of hours tidying away and throwing out and putting stuff back in its place... and then I made it all messy again! Well, who ever heard of a tidy crafter eh? Back in January I made a few resolutions and one of them was to keep the Room of Stash tidy at all times... and I think, over all, I managed... occasionally I have slipped off the tidy-wagon and the Room of Stash has become the Doom of Trash a few times. Why am I waffling on about the state of my room eh? Well... today is Wednesday which means it's time for the crafty peeps of Bloglandia to show off their desks/rooms/floors (you are so NOT seeing my floor, I have a reputation to keep you know lol) Head on over to Julia's blog and see what all this is about... I keep being asked "what are the black things under the desk?" Well, they are my beloved and most treasured Studio 490 stamps... and check out the ink pads in front of where I sit... all labelled neatly... they are my Archival Inks... and then I have the Distress Inks/Stains, also labelled and in colour order (I am so organised with that kind of thing... shame about the rest of the room lol)



Anyways... yesterday I was going on about those ickle Rosette Trees that the Duke of Distress was showing on his blog (HERE they are)... and of course, if I try something once and like it, I get very quickly addicted and have to make more... which is why I now have a small forest of trees... needless to say, they are all glittered which means that I am now all glittered... as is AlfieCat who has been assisting with the bow making, he is ever so clever, getting ribbon in his chops and hurtling off down the stairs... shame the ribbon was still attached to the reel... a very lot of winding it back on you know...


Right I had better get a move on... I am debating whether to do the "big" shop today... but I have lots of other things that I can be doing, like ironing and defuzzing the cobwebs (tis like Miss Haversham's dining room in the corners of my room!) Shopping? For Christmas? I must be mental... *no need to answer that one* Thanks for looking... Merry Christmas to all the desk-hoppers, it has been a fab year sharing all our crafty spaces, looking forward to 2012 and seeing more! TTFN

Hels x

Wishing...

... well a wish at least... it is the title of my latest Christmas tag... made for my DT for The Stamp Attic... HERE's a link so you can see how I maded it... And a sneaky peek at what it looks like :O))


I have had a loverly day today... I have tidied the Room of Stash (I know, I did need to sit down for a day or two afterwards because it was that hellish in here lol) So... a nice tidy desk and lots of festive cheer... well, I got inky making that tag and... have you seen those totes-amazeballs trees on Tim's blog? Huh? How fantabulous are they!!! HERE is a link so you can see them. Well, I had a little play... and I couldn't find my old cotton bobbins... so I used one that is a smidge too big but... I love the vintageness of it... and ... I have a pack of 10 natural wood pencils somewhere... can I find them? No!! SO... I nicked a bit of twig from the Spinney and used that for the tree trunk... am rather chuffed with the au-naturelle look!



Right... I must away... I am cooking a nice pork chop roast with roastie spuds and veggies (mmm, sprouts for me!) and lashings of grrravy for tea... and I can smell it... and I dont' want to be giving Grim burnt offerings.... Thanks for looking.... TTFN... nomnomnomnomnom

Hels x

Sunday Stamper - Week 184 - The Christmas Song

Goodly Morning Stampers and a very happy Sunday to you all!! Many thanks for the fab entries to last weeks challenge. This week, being as it is only two weeks to the big day, the theme is... CHRISTMAS. You can make anything you like as your entry, just add in the theme and some stamping and then hop back here to leave me a comment, along with a link to the place you are showing your entry, then I can pop over to see you. The challenge will remain open until 21:00 Saturday 17th December 2011. This is one of my all time fave Christmas songs... HERE is a link to hear in on YouTube.


So... who stole last week huh? One minute I was on top of the 12 Tags and now I am lagging behind with nearly 8 (well, by morning it will be 8) to make! However, I have been nosying at them every day and have used some of the techniques that Tim has shown to make my entry for this weeks theme.




The frame is a cheapy Ikea one, painted with a mix of Espresso and Pitch Black Dabber, sanded back so some wood shows, painted with a generous layer of Rock Candy Cracklepaint and then once this had dried, I slapped some Frayed Burlap Stains over the crackles so they soak right in... and because I wanted a really shabby look, I picked at some of the crackles so they fell off... leaving rough patches. The centre is a piece of card, inked and Stained and overstamped with that gorgeous crackle stamp... I used Tim's Ghost Stamping technique of rolling the inked crackle stamp over the cardstock... it doesn't have a beginning or end this way and I really enjoyed trying this technique out. The sentiment was stamped and embossed onto cream card which I then coloured with more Frayed Burlap DI and edged with Vintage Photo DI.


The Holly Leaves... ooohalallaaaa, I loved this technique loads... covering Glassine with Alcohol Inks and Mixatives and then scrunching up... and I also used the red berries idea, popping Baubles into a baggy and adding Red Pepper Alcohol Ink. The Pine Cones... well, they aren't getting any better with practice but one of them is a double one... that was more luck that good paper twirling methinks though. Finally, I had a play at painting a Christmas Idea-ology Charm... using Bottle and Cranberry Dabber with a smidge of Gold and then embossed with clear powder... it gives a fab enamelled look! I have thoroughly enjoyed making this little frame... all thanks to Tim for his inspirations... to see the 12 Tags and all the techniques there... CLICK HERE and you will be whizzed off on the back of Santa's sleigh to see them.



Well, I think I am over the worst of the bug... thankfully! Thanks all for your well wishes... I really never ever want to get a bug like that ever again! Because I am so far behind with my 12 Tags, I think a day in the Room of Stash is in order, catching up and getting inky... whatcha fink? Sound like a plan? What have you got planned for today? And... don't forget, if you do enter the 12 Tags, you can also enter it here seeing as the theme is the same! Right... time for bed... thanks for looking... TTFN!

Hels x

On The 3rd Day of Tagmas...

... The Duke of Distress gave to us... THIS coolio design. Oh yes, I have been avidly following the 12 Tags of Christmas and have managed to get Day 3 made. I am rather chuffed that Tim used the stamp and Texture Fade on this one because I have both (ahem!) and hadn't really thought about how to use them... and now I know. I have to say, I have done the whole re-inker on felt thing before and never got it right... so this time I tried really hard and it worked! Fab!!




Anyways... Tim had used a Kraft tag for his... and I haven't got any Kraft tags... an oversight on my part and I shall be rectifying that shortly... however, for the purposes of this tag, I improvised. I cut a tag from my Kraft Resist pad and used that, flipped over and glued to a white card tag. I am not sure if they are the same colour but it looks similar if nowt else. I am loving Heirloom Gold PP Mists on kraft colour... cor, a new fave I reckon.




I wanted to make a bigger statement with the foliage so I used the Holly Branch Alterations and made some pinecones... aren't they totes-amazeballs!! (actually, I should apologise for saying that word, I have watched too much I'm A Celebrity lol) And... actually, they aren't made pinecones, nope, these are real ones that Miriam very kindly gave to me at last weekends class... bless her... I have used them all now already. Anyways... I should stop with the waffle and get on with making Tag #4... I have been busy making samples for Tuesday... you should see the state of my paws! I never ever break nails... ever. They are always decent looking and not stumpy and horrid... but... this past few days I have snapped most of them on my right hand... akkk... I wonder if I will get away with wearing mittens on Tuesday? Hahaaaa... Right... better go... thanks for looking... TTFN!!

Hels x

Sunday Stamper - Week 183 - What Is Life

Goodly Morning Stampers and a very happy Sunday to you all. Many thanks, as ever, for the gorgeous entries to last weeks starry challenge. This week I have chosen one of my very favourite songs by one of my very favourite men, What Is Life by George Harrison for the theme. The reason for using this song this week is because it was the tenth anniversary of George's death on November 29th 2001 and I didn't want that to pass without acknowledging it. HERE's a link to this song... it never fails to make me feel happy and I LOVE it!! I hope you like it too :O)) Anyways... the theme for this week is... LOVE &/OR LIFE. Tis an easy one, you could just use the word/s on your entry which can be anything you fancy, add in some stamping and then pop back here and leave me a link to the place you are showing your entry, I can then hop on over to visit. If you haven't got a blog or image sharing site, you can email me a piccie of your entry too (my email addy is on my profile). The challenge will remain open until 21:00 Saturday 10th December 2011.


My entry this week is totallly inspired by the frame that Tim Holtz did on the first day of the 12 Tags using the Tattered Pinecones. I used a 6" square shadow box, painting it with Fresco Finish paints, adding crackle glaze and then a mix of white and blue for the top layer. The colours really don't pick up properly on the photo's... electric light isn't the best to try and get pics of something that is shiny lol I used Coredinations cardstock to cut the Tattered Pinecones and leaves, sanding them before rolling them up. HERE's a link to Tim's video on how to make the pinecones... and on it he shows some double ones... so I had a crack at those too... and am chuffed with the big blousey rose look they make. I used Metallic Glaze on the edges of the petals to add some more bling to the piece... and Picket Fence Stickles over the wooden frame...




The stamping is on the background cardstock I made... this is just plain white card that I painted with the same colour tones and then overstamped with a script background using Faded Jeans Distress Ink. I made a little centre for the Ornate Frame and stamped Love using Jet Black Archival ink.




Tis a quickie post from me today... I am still sample making ready for Tuesday, which reminds me... I have had a few comments and emails asking what time the show is. As far as I am aware it is 2pm on the Dawn Bibby & Friends programme... am very excited... and a smidge nervous too! Thanks again to everyone for your overwhelming support and kindness... like I said before, it means a very lot to me :O)) Anyways... I had better get a move on... I have planned a quick inky session making yesterday's tag... I think I have the goodies I need for this one... whooohoooo!! Thanks for looking... TTFN!

Hels x

A Balloon & Bambi...

Ohhhlallaaaaa... I love getting surprises and yesterday when the doorbell rang, there stood a chap with a mahooosive box... which was as light as a feather! Having taken delivery of said light as a feather box, I was in a rush to see what was inside... and nope, I haven't ordered anything (honest, I haven't.... well, apart from one thing but that is a Christmas pressie so it doesn't count lol) Anyways... imagine my surprise when I opened up the box and out popped a big balloon! Isn't it fab! And how kind... it is from Joanne... what a wonderful surprise Joanne, thank you SO much, I love it... it made me smile very lots and... the choccies in the box too... mmm, nomnomnomnom... Here's the balloon, it is a helium filled one and has a little anchor on the end of the string so it doesn't float away. AlfieCat isn't even bothered by it... I would have thought that he would have gone a bit bonkers with the string but nope, he is being as good as gold... I think he is saving his energy for when the Christmas tree goes up!




Anyways... hands up who is having a ball with the fantabulous and wonderous 12 Tags of Christmas from the one and only Duke of Distress himself, Tim Holtz! (click his name to see what I am on about!!) Yesterdays tag... ooooh, I lurve this one... covering Grunge with Claudine's Sticky Back Canvas... brrrrilliant i-deer (ahem.. grrroan) My brads at the bottom went a weensy bit wonky... not sure how I managed that but never mind...and I think I overdid it with the PP Mists too lol Tis all a learning curve though... I mean, I had never thought to colour one patch of the Kraft Resist card with DI's... how lucky are we that Tim does all these techniques on a tag for us to learn... so... THANK YOU Tim!




Right... I had better get a wiggle on. I had to take Ferdy to "hospital" yesterday... he has been making really baaaad noisy, like a screeching metallic noise from the back wheels. Well, Mr Mechanic has said that a piston had stuck in the brake caliper and it needed releasing, Ferdy needed new pads and then he should be ok. Anyways... Ferdy has been restored to good health (hopefully) and Mr Mechanic has some dosh towards Christmas so I had better get over to the garage before they shut! Thanks for looking... oh and don't forget, a new theme for the Sunday Stamper tomorrow! TTFN

Hels x

The First of Advent Means Tags & Books...

...yipppeeeeee... tis finally here!!! After a year in the waiting, it is time for the amazingly wonderous event that is Tim's Twelve Tags of Christmas! So... I prattled on alarmingly yesterday about it being Day 1 and how I was off to camp outside Tim's blog to wait for the first tag to post... well, I may have expanded the truth a weensy bit. What I did do was watch Mario's Tweets from BTS (behind Tim's shoulder... actually I think it is supposed to be behind the scenes but I like my variation) Anyhooo's, there I was waiting and waiting and eventually the Sandman came and got me and I went off to sleepland. Next thing I knew it was gone 10am and I had one of those niggling things... you know, in the back of my mind... like... I know there's something I should be doing but I can't remember....


Well... what a fool I am... I had forgotten, well, not actually forgotten completely, no it had just slipped my mind ( I am blaming the Sandman for that) so I hot footed to Lionel Laptop to see what gorgeous creation Tim had come up with for Day 1. Wow! Tis a stunner... I have had to improvise a weensy bit because I didn't have the Kraft Core - so I used blue card and Frayed Burlap over it to make it a bit Krafty. Oh and I didn't have silver glitter... akk, I really do not "do" glitter... **although AlfieCat now does look rather sparkling and fetching lol** but I did find some white stuff... so I slapped that on and once it had dried I used my finger to smudge Silver Dabber over the top... and it worked!!! Sort of... I can't wait to see the next installment... if you are wondering what I am waffling on about... CLICK HERE to see Tim's blog, his tags and his inspirations!






So... being as it was the first day of Advent yesterday, I figured I may as well pull my finger out and finish my Book of Advent that I started in my class on Saturday. I have made several of these little books over the years and have never kept one for myself! I have been saving some Cosmo Cricket Be Good papers for yonks (they stopped making them...booo) ... and I decided to go mad and cut into them because I do love them so much and this book will be brought out year after year... they have been put to goodly uses at least.


Well, I suppose I had better get a move on and get back to Twitter and see what marvels Mario will be posting from behind Tim's shoulder... I can't wait to see today's tag... tis exciting!!! Oh and... if you are looking for some goodies to buy for your tag making, I have been reliably informed that The Stamp Attic has a web page dedicated to the tags HERE and... there's a special on the new Idea-ology cases too... bargains!!! Oh and... each day Wendy will be uploading all the ingredients you need... how kind!! Right... am offski... Thanks for looking... TTFN!

Hels x

Simon Says....

... this week the theme on the Simon Says Stamp & Show challenge is to use Recycling/Upcycling on the entry. So, being as I have a room chock full of things to alter I ...erm... made a tag (snort) It did really start out as a wooden box that was going to be decorated for a Christmas decoration... and then I decided I would do a little tag to start with... which grew into a normal size tag... thankfully I stopped there before making one of those mahooosive ones.


Anyways... there is a bit of recycling on the tag... in the form of music score that was used to pop across the middle of the tag and I also bunged some onto some Grungepaper.. I really must try to be more careful with the multi-medium because some squidged over onto the "front" and it acts like a resist... which is cool if that is what you want but.... :O)) The background is Antique Linen, Gathered Twigs and Walnut Stain DI's... blended on and then I overstamped using Walnut Stain and that new crackle background stamp and the new scruffy music score stamp from this years Xmas collection from the Duke of Distress.



The flowers were cut using the Tattered Florals die... and then I made a big rose... I added in extra layers using the offcuts from behind the glued petals.. and dabbed a bit of Gold Dabber around the edges to make it a bit blingy. The leaves are Grungeboard, cut using the Holly Branch die and painted with Peeled Paint Crackle... then inked with Gathered Twigs DI. I added some blingy gem flourishes and some dangly bits to finish it off... oh and I just remembered... the ribbon was actually wrapped around a stationary box that my MIL gave me... so that is recycled too :O))



So... that's how I made it... and now I have to figure out a way of getting my brain to understand that I shouldn't be faffing about making tags and should be making cards... Christmas cards at that. I got all smug last month didn't I? I had made one and thought to myself that I was going to get at least 10 done a week (yeh, right, that was never going to happen!) Maybe I should just face facts and send out tags this year instead of cards... well, they already have a hold in the top so that they can be hung up... and if I get all clever and made a stand for the back they could...erm... stand up! Right, I need to lay down after all that thinking... thanks for looking!! TTFN

Hels x

Grungy...

Cor blimey and thrice indeedily, it is weeks since I had the chance to join in with my favourite challenge, Grungy Monday. Thought up and hosted by the lovely Linda Ledbetter, this challenge focuses on the amazing techniques and products from the one and only Tim Holtz.. or, to give him is proper title, THE Duke of Distress. This week the challenge theme is a technique on one of Tim's Tags of Christmas - the deets of which are HERE.


So... I quite clearly remember making this tag the first time around... and goofing it up a bit and not being 100% happy with it. Hang on, I am going to go and see if I can find it in the archive... brb lol Right... am back, how clever was I to do a label that says "Twelve Tags of Christmas 2009" aha, I must have known I would need it one day. Anyways.. here is the LINK to the post. A little known fact... is... I love a good "copy" crafting time. So, when Tim does the 12 Tags, I always try and copy them exactly. Tisn't easy sometimes because I might not have the stash I need... this year I have been like a squirrel storing his nuts (snort) and have been collecting loads of Christmas stashly goodies... I hope Tim gets chance to do the 12 Tags again this year.. they are the best!


My tag was made pretty much in the way the original was made... I just added one of those new Christmas Adornments (which I lurve btw) and a Christmas Muse Token too. I used my fave Santa... I call him Santa Bellamy because I think he looks like David Bellamy (for readers not of my age and not from the UK, HERE is a link to a piccie of David)




Oooh, before I forget... I have just posted over on The Stamp Attic blog... I have finally got my act together and got my class samples photographed... all the deets for the classes are HERE at The Stamp Attic shop... and... sneak peek pics and a few words about them are HERE on The Stamp Attic blog. Right... tis time for me to get a wiggle on... I have got my Christmas head on and I have a hankering for some tag-making. Thanks for looking! TTFN

Hels x

Grungy... Scraping In Under The Wire...

... cos I am sooo late with this weeks Grungy Monday challenge entry... mainly because I have been swanning about (pardon the pun) on a river... anyways... without further ado... deets for the fab Grungy Monday challenge can be found HERE on my lovely Ranger Sister, Linda Ledbetter's blog. The challenge this week is inspired by the technique from The Duke of Distress - all the deets are HERE on his blog.



So... when this was a challenge on the Compendium...erm... challenge (ahem) I had "issues" with it. I don't know why but I just cannot seem to get the top coat of ink to look right... so, this time I used Scattered Straw on the base and then Vintage Photo on the top... and I still didn't like it so I bunged some Black Soot on and that calmed it down a bit.




And... feeling rather adventurous, I also did the same tech on the Old Jalopy - which was cut using Victor II *which is a complete darling and I love him more than I loved the original Victor** out of mountboard. The base is Pumice Stone and the top is Black Soot... and the extra 3d-y bits are Black Soot which was then clear embossed.



So... I don't normally do an extra post on a Sunday but today is special because I really wanted to have another go at this tech and had I left it til the morning it would have been too late - a new challenge will be posted tomorrow and I am so getting straight onto it! Anyways... enough waffling from me (again) for a day... have a goodly evening... we are going to watch the final of The Apprentice... my ££ is on either **Tom, Jim or Helen... or Susan ROFL **nowt like sitting on the fence lol** TTFN!

Hels x

**ooooeeeee, well that result was a turn up for the books!!!!**

It's Grungy Monday...

...time again! Yeehawwww!!! Tis time for the Grungy Monday challenge again and this week my lovely Ranger Sister, Linda Ledbetter, has pulled a fantastic technique out of the archives of the one and only Tim Holtz. HERE are all the deets of the challenge.... and HERE is the link to the technique on the Duke of Distress' blog.




Now, I have never tried this technique before... and I had to do a couple of dry runs - mainly because I couldn't get the embossing right. No matter how many times I did the whole ink, stamp, sprinkle, heat thing, I just could not get it to go right... I know! Who knew embossing could be such a pain in the bum! The first three efforts were, for want of a better word, cack! The embossing powder was over cooking and soaking right into the paper... so when the Espresso Dabber went on, it just looked like seven shades of... erm... poo!


Finally... I got it sussed... I was holding the heatgun too close to the paper and spending too much time trying to melt one patch of it. I have been embossing for 832 years and have never had a problem before... so I am blaming the new heatgun I have (ahem, a poor workman always blames his tools and all that) it is a lot more hotter (oh how my English teacher would cringe if he read that). Anyways... enough waffling. This tag is TOTALLY inspired by the tag on the technique by the Emperor of Embossing... you see, I have the papers! I know! Not often do I get chance to use up papers that have been lurking in my stash for 284 years... but yep! Yeehawwww indeedily because I just knew that one day I would use those Wanted papers from Crate Paper. Actually, I did use them eleventy-hundred years ago when I made a card with them.. but alas, they have been neglected. So, now I know this technique, I will be using it... again... and again... and again!



So... I copied the tag Tim made... cheating I know.. but sometimes you know you just see something that is perfect and this design is that. I love to make stuff that has pockets, layers and pouchy things... and the pouch at the bottom of the tag is a FAB idea... I used the new Pennants On The Edge die to make that... I thought that the diamond shape tied in nicely with the rest of the design... and of course, because I can't seem to make anything that doesn't feature a flower and Idea-ology I got stuck in with that too. I tell you what, I loved making this tag... I had the best fun, even though I mucked it up several times... and I now have an idea to challenge myself... to use this technique on loads of different papers I have... nay and thrice, I could make a series of tags... oooh, you see, one nugget of inspiration lodges in my bonce and there is no stopping me...




Well, I have waffled on enough for one day... apologies for the shortest post ever yesterday (if you haven't seen it, I am giving away a tag on it :O))... and for no post at all on Tuesday... you see, these new meds are playing havoc! Not only was I walking around like a zombie and falling asleep at the drop of a hat, I was also suffering with the mother of all headaches... like 52 hours worth of headache. I think I am starting to get used to them now but on Saturday I have to up the dose again! Eeeek!!! I wouldn't mind if they actually were making a difference but they aren't... at the moment... guess it may take a while, who knows. Anyways... I have waffled on even more now lol Time to get inky again... and painty... more tags to make lol Right... offski... thanks for looking... have a grand day... TTFN

Hels x

Blurfing???

... do you ever do things that you think... "arrrrgh" afterwards? Well, that was me last night... I was doing bit of Blurfing (I have heard it called this and with this propensity to join one word with another, I rather like this word... oh and another I heard... glamping... which is posh camping I assume) Anyways... there I was on this rather amazing blog and I spotted a stamp that the blogger had used and instantly it went right onto my wishlist. So, I tried to leave a comment for said blogger to ask where the stamp came from... and Error 503 kept coming up. So, I thought "aha, you can't catch me out" ... and I bookmarked the blog. And promptly lost the bookmark... and I can't find it... so... this here stamp I saw... you might be able to help me with it. It is a bird... and the bird is made up of watchparts and gears and has a really cool beak that is also made of curly watch parts... and I NEED to own it!!!



I have exhausted myself searching yonder internet looking for it... I have found a few steampunk birds but not this one **sob** which is why I am late late late with my post today... cos I spent all this morning faffing with Mr Google and getting absolutely nowhere.




So, this tag was made as a challenge to me... use Wild Honey, Broken China and Vintage Photo Stains and/or Inks... and some Perfect Pearls and some Glassine... and Tissue Tape... and the Bird Alterations and Tattered Florals Alterations. I know, not such a big hardship really (lol... I like this kind of challenge) I used that FAB technique I learnt at Ranger U and that the Duke of Distress had on his blog the other day... pouncing PP powders onto Glassine and then heating... the stuff in the Glassine melts, grabs the PP's and then seals them in!!! How coolio is that!!! Oh and I made a little nest for the birdy from thin strips of Glassine... the design is totally cribbed from one of Tim's 12 Tags 2010... oooh, I hope he does them again this year!


Right... gotta dash, have a date with the Sunday Stamper and of course, Alan Carr on Radio 2 at 6pm... tis the best time of the week... I hope he is on this week... he had a week off last week and I did so miss him!! Thanks for looking... enjoy your evening, oh and if you know the stamp I am on about... please do let me know!!! TTFN

Hels x

Grungy Monday On A...

...Tuesday! I know! On a Tuesday instead of a Saturday... I am feeling rather chuffed that I have managed to join in earlier than normal with the fabulousness that is the Grungy Monday Challenge - devised and hosted by my lovely Ranger Sister, Lovely Linda Ledbetter. All the deets for the challenge are HERE... and please, do go and take a few mins to read what Linda has said on her post this week... kinda important for everyone. So, Grungy Monday's challenge this week is to use Tim's September Challenge from 2008.




Now, this is one of my favest techniques in the whole widest world... one I use all the time when I am making cards... but usually I use Distress Inks... although why, I really do not know because the first inky ink pads I ever bought were the Adirondack Dye Pads. Anyways, it was good to get back to this technique... so good that I got all carried away and made a tag as usual... and a card too!




The tag had to see some Distress Ink, so I edged with Old Paper and then got cracking with the Adirondack pads. They are very versatile you know... check out the seam binding ribbon... that is dyed with the pads too... I just squished them in a line onto the craft sheet and spritzed with water and then dipped the seam binding into it... cute!



I edged the tag with Pesto Adirondack ink too... just to tie all the colours in together... I used Cut & Dry to do this and just blended it a bit. The little pearls are attached to a Charm Clip (remembered the name of them!) and the butterflies have their antenae stamped in black in straight onto the card, I used Post It notes to mask off the body and then inked over... just the antenae get inky then.




So... I made the tag and still wanted to play, so I made a card too. The stamp is one of the very first Tim stamps I ever got... it is so old it is a woodie! I love it because it is really versatile and comes in handy for bold prints and also fadey background fillers. I inked the seam binding like before and then made a little mat for the sentiment.. just using the inkpads like a Wrinkle Free Distress to make them blend nicely.



You should see my desk... I have all the Adirondack inks I own all over it... so that means that I am still being a slut and am not tidying up after each project... which is starting to get very annoying because I am having to shove everything onto the floor or other desk before I can start a new project... and I know I have said that I am going to tidy up... well, today I am. I have made an exekertive decision... tidy away all the stash and stuff before starting anything else. I will take a pic before though.. and print it out and put it above my desk to remind me that slutish behaviour is not conducive to letting the Mojo flow lol I am off... to get... tidy!! Thanks for loooking... TTFN

Hels x